For two weeks KPA and ROK units fought in several bloody back-and-forth battles, taking and retaking ground in which neither side was able to gain the upper hand.

Finally, following the breakdown of the KPA supply lines and amidst mounting casualties, the exhausted North Korean troops were forced to retreat.

The battle was a turning point in the war for KPA forces, which had seen previous victories owing to superior numbers and equipment, but the distances and demands exacted on them at P'ohang-dong rendered their supply lines untenable.

[4] The 24th Division made a final stand in the Battle of Taejon, where it was almost completely destroyed but delayed KPA forces until July 20.

[8] The KPA, 89,000 men strong, had advanced into South Korea in six columns, catching the ROK by surprise, resulting in a complete rout.

[9] Numerically superior, KPA forces destroyed isolated resistance from the 38,000 ROK soldiers on the front before it began moving steadily south.

[13] Though they were steadily pushed back, ROK forces on the right flank increased their resistance further south, hoping to delay KPA units as much as possible.

[16] Along the ROK front of the perimeter, on the eastern corridor, the terrain made moving through the area incredibly difficult.

The only major north-south road intersecting this line moves south from Andong through Yongch'on, midway between Taegu and P'ohang-dong.

Northeast of P'ohong-dong along the South Korean line the terrain was especially treacherous, and movement in the region was extremely difficult.

[26] Evacuation of wounded and surrounded troops was carried out by the aircraft carriers USS Valley Forge and Philippine Sea.

The heavy cruisers USS Helena and Toledo also provided fire support for troops operating in the town.

[27] The KPA troops were organized into a mechanized combined arms force of ten divisions, originally numbering some 90,000 well-trained and well-equipped men, in July, with hundreds of T-34 tanks.

[28] However, defensive actions by UN forces had delayed the KPA significantly in their invasion of South Korea, costing them 58,000 casualties and the destruction of a large number of tanks.

[29] In order to recoup these losses, the North Koreans had to rely on less experienced replacements and conscripts, many of whom had been taken from the conquered regions of South Korea.

It held the road 20 mi (32 km) north of P'ohang-dong but there were no defenses inland in the mountains and KPA units had penetrated there.

[37] Due to severe manpower shortages, ROKA commanders had assigned a company of student volunteer soldiers to defend P'ohang-dong Girl's Middle School to delay the KPA advance into the town.

[41] What followed was a complicated series of fights through the large region around P'ohang-dong and An'gang-ni as ROKA forces, aided by US air power, engaged groups of KPA units operating all around the vicinity.

[44] The division would sail 20 miles (32 km) south to Yonil Bay to join other UN forces in a coordinated attack to push the KPA out of the region.

Captured KPA prisoners claimed the units received no food after 12 August and had been so exhausted that they were completely unable to fight.

Intense fighting around P'ohang-dong ensued for several days, as each side suffered extensive casualties in back-and-forth battles.

[46] By 17 August UN forces were able to push KPA troops out of the Kyongju corridor and An'gang-ni, putting the supply road to Taegu out of immediate danger.

[44] The fight at P'ohang-dong was the final breaking point for KPA units already on the verge of exhaustion from continuous combat.

KPA supply lines were overextended to the point of breaking down, causing a collapse in resupply that is seen as a primary factor in turning the tide of the battle.

[44][45] Moreover, US air superiority was also crucial to the engagement, since repeated attacks by US aircraft prevented the KPA from reaching and holding their objectives.

[35] Poor organization among both KPA and ROK units made it extremely difficult to estimate total casualties for both sides.